translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən 

tranz-

1

: an act, process, or instance of translating: such as

a

: a rendering from one language into another

also : the product of such a rendering

b

: a change to a different substance, form, or appearance : conversion

c(1)

: a transformation of coordinates in which the new axes are parallel to the old ones

(2)

: uniform motion of a body in a straight line

2

: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription sense 3

translational

tran(t)s-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

tranz-

adjective

Synonyms

• translating

Examples of translation in a Sentence

She is working on a translation of the novel.

a new translation of the Iliad

There were English translations on the menu.

the translation of economic power into political strength

Recent Examples on the Web

Change is being declared, but most of it amounts to translation: one process swapped for another, nothing truly reimagined. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

The Yale Rep production will be directed by Liz Diamond, chair of the directing program at the David Geffen School of Drama, using the standard translation by Derek Prouse as adapted in 2018 by Frank Galati for a production at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025

That’s according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 June 2025

These kinds of lossy translations would become a secret source of power for ABBA. —Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 18 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing translation

• in translation
• loan translation
• lose (something) in translation

Rhymes for translation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən 

tranz-

1

: an act, process, or product of translating

2

: the process of forming a protein molecule from information contained in a messenger RNA molecule compare transcription sense 3

Medical Definition

translation

noun

trans·​la·​tion tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən, tranz- 

: the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA compare transcription

translational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective